Not their war: Who are Ukraine's foreign fighters?

Kyiv Independent August 8, 2025
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Independent journalism from Ukraine to the world. Russia's war, geopolitics and the future we're heading toward. Support our work by becoming a member at kyivindependent.com/membership.

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At the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, thousands of foreigners flocked to Ukraine to join its defense against Russian forces. More than three years later, the foreign fighters who remain are a different breed — driven by a deep commitment to Ukraine. As drones reshape the nature of warfare, surviving on the battlefield now demands new skills, and solid infantry or special forces experience alone is no longer enough. With its newly created International Battalion, Ukraine's legendary Azov Brigade aims to fill this gap, offering modern training for foreign soldiers. The Kyiv Independent’s Francis Farrell and Olena Zashko spoke with Azov's foreign fighters during training in the east of Ukraine. Subscribe to our channel for more independent reporting from Ukraine. Become a member of our community: https://kyivindependent.com/membership/?utm_source=video_report_international_azov&utm_medium=international_azov Your support allows us to bring independent, locally sourced news about Ukraine to the world.

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